Christmas Hill Park renamed in Vic Derman’s memory

Information BulletinFor immediate release

Councillor Derman, who passed away in March at age 72, was a long-serving Saanich councillor and CRD director. He was first elected to Saanich council in 2002 and became a CRD director in 2005. During that time, he sat on various committees which were mostly focussed on water conservation, active transportation and sustainability.

It was this commitment to sustainability that led to council selecting Christmas Hill Park as the place to memorialize their friend and colleague.

Councillor Derman first became interested in community politics in 1990, when he became an executive member of the North Quadra Community Association. He remained with the association until his election to council in 2002. He worked to acquire parklands on Christmas Hill and campaigned to see improved greenbelts and commuting trails. The proposal to dedicate Christmas Hill Park to honour Vic Derman was put forth by the North Quadra Community Association in recognition of all the work that Vic Derman contributed to the surrounding community.

Choosing a space in a neighbourhood significant to Councillor Derman’s past was deemed a fitting legacy. The park is a 3.29 hectare park next to and west of Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Christmas Hill Park’s popular trails connect neighbourhoods, provide access to the sanctuary and provide a safe route to Roger’s Elementary School. Christmas Hill Park is a natural area containing Garry Oak trees and their associated ecosystems. There is a small, flat open meadow characteristic of this area that provides views of the Sooke Hills and wildflower displays throughout the spring. This natural area is classified as a “municipal” park that provides access from Rainbow Street and Rogers Way.

The name change and a park dedication ceremony will take place in July. Details will be shared with the community as they come available.